CANADA STOCKS-ECB comments might push TSX higher

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July 26 (Reuters) - Toronto’s main stock index looked set to open higher on Thursday, after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said the central bank will do whatever is necessary to protect the euro, triggering speculation that some major central banks will move to boost the slowing world economy.

TOP STORIES

* European Central Bank President Mario Draghi pledged on Thursday to do whatever was necessary to protect the euro zone from collapse, including acting to lower unreasonably high government borrowing costs.

* Barrick Gold Corp, the world’s largest gold miner, on Thursday reported a 35 percent decline in second-quarter profit and warned capital costs on one of its biggest growth projects will be much higher than previously forecast.

* Potash Corp, the world’s largest fertilizer maker, reported a 38 percent drop in second-quarter profit on Thursday, mainly due to one-time charges and weaker results from its phosphate business.

* Mullen Group Ltd. : The trucking and logistics company reported a 40 percent fall in second-quarter profit on foreign exchange losses.

* Exco Technologies Ltd. : The auto parts maker posted a profit for the third straight quarter on higher demand and strong performance across all segments.

* Canadian National Railway Ltd. : The railroad will soon shelve plans to build a C$5 billion rail line to northern Quebec unless more miners sign deals with the rail operator to ship iron ore from the isolated region to port, the company’s chief executive said on Wednesday.

* Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. : The gold miner reported a 15 percent drop in its second-quarter adjusted profit on Wednesday, largely due to higher average cash costs at its mines.